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A Prophet
A Prophet Image
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Metascore
90 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.8 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 115 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Tahar Rahim
  • Summary: Condemned to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena cannot read or write. Arriving at the jail entirely alone, he appears younger and more fragile than the other convicts. He is 19 years old. Cornered by the leader of the Corsican gang who rules the prison, he is given a number of "missions" to carry out, toughening him up and gaining the gang leader's confidence in the process. But Malik is brave and a fast learner, daring to secretly develop his own plans. (Sony Pictures Classics)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Steven Rea
    100
    If Malik doesn't remind you of Al Pacino's Michael Corleone on his journey from innocence to corruption in "The Godfather" saga, well . . . he should. A Prophet is similarly, startlingly momentous.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    The best performance in the film is by Arestrup as Cesar. You may remember him from Audiard's "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" (2005), where he played a seedy but confident father who psychically overshadows his son.
  3. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    100
    A new crime classic.

See all 30 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Film_Fanatic_15
    10
    What is really great about this movie, is the simplicity of it. An Arabian man who is sentenced to six years in prison soon is confronted by a Corsican gang who gives him several tasks to do, soon becoming a ruthless gang member, and he can't even read or write.There is this sense of immense greatness toward Malik who is only 19 years old and seems like the only nice guy who won't shoot an inmate. And the Corsican gang seems to be his only refuge, even if he doesn't like it. The plot is simply told, not through verbal communication, but in several instances where the filmakers step you outside the movie and try to tell you, "This is Malik now." He soon becomes productive, and ruthless. He slowly rebuilds his life. A perfect crime drama that has things anybody could ask for in one.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. cyclecrit
    10
    Fantastic gritty, realistic depiction of life inside a French prison from start to finish. I could really only identify a couple of small aspects were improvement was possible. The first of these was in the english subtitles (not really even a part of the film itself)- they are not always a great translation of the actual dialogue. The second is in the development of the central protagonists relationship and involvement with the Muslim within and outside the jail walls, this could have been given additional clarity. However, as a cinema this film works all almost every level, effectively dragging us into Malik's world grim and realistic world. Don't miss it.… Expand
    • 1 of 2 users said yes
  3. QuincyH
    5
    I think it should read, "Malik El Djebena cannot read NOR write". I love the concept of this website, I just want to keep your guys on your editing toes. Thanks for the service.… Expand
    • 0 of 8 users said yes

See all 24 User Reviews

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